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 30 August 2008 17:10 BST

Symbolic crossing opens in Cyprus for first time in 44 years

Thursday, 03 Apr 2008 11:55
Symbolic Nicosia crossing reopened in Cyprus
A street that has divided Cyprus' capital for four and a half decades has been opened following a symbolic ceremony.

The crossing on Ledra Street - Lokmaci Street in Turkish – has been closed since ethnic violence in 1964.

The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot mayors of Nicosia, the world's only divided capital, were in attendance as the street was opened at 09:00 local time (07:00 BST).

Ledra Street is the sixth crossing on the Green Line partition which divides the island to open over the last four years.

The decision to open the street was made last month by Cyprus' president Demetris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish north, Mehmet Ali Talat.

Local authorities and the United Nations hope the opening will eventually lead to the reunification of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974.

Lynn Pascoe, head of the UN's department of political affairs, commented on the "very positive tone" of Cypriots and the "palpable sense of momentum".

Greek Cypriot Nicosia mayor Eleni Mavrou, who was at Ledra Street with her counterpart from the north Cemal Bulutoglulari, said Cyprus had "a long way to go".

"This is the first step," she said. "We hope many more will follow."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops responded to a Greek-backed plot to unite the island by invading the north.End of story


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